Underskirt.



M. G. MGLOUGHLIN.

UNDERSKIRT. APPLICATION FILED ooT.2,1912.

1,089,245. Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

u rr serre MARTINA G. MCLOUGrI-ILIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA..

UNDERSKIRT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

Application filed October 2, 1912. Serial No. 723/174.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that ll/LinTINa` G. MC- LoUcrrLrN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful 1mprovements in Underskirts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in skirts and particularly to underskirts.

The object of my invention is to construct the skirt so that it may be adjusted to different sizes.

A further object of my invention is to construct the adjustable portion of the skirt so that an inverted plait will be formed in the center back portion of the skirt and give the same a neat appearance.

A. still further object of my invention is to make the entire portion of the skirt, which rests upon the hips, adjustable so that it will tit snugly around the hips of any size person, and thus making the skirt particularly useful as a maternity skirt.

In the accompanying drawings in which like references refer to like parts: Figure 1, is a perspective view of the skirt looking toward the back of the same; Fig. 2, is a view in elevation, of a portion of the skirt shown in Fig. 1, showing the reverse or inside surface of the garment, drawn on a larger scale; Fig. 3, is a perspective View similar to Fig. 1, showing the skirt adjusted to a smaller size; Fig. 1, is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the manner of making the adjustment shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, is a horizontal section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 2; Fig. G, is a horizontal section taken on line 6 6, Fig. 4L; Fig. 7, is a horizontal section taken on line 7 7, Fig. 2; and Fig. 8, is a horizontal section taken on line 8 8, Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which like references refer to like parts: 1, represents the skirt consisting of the front portion 2, and the back portion 3, and having the vent 1 at one side of the skirt, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The edges of the skirt forming the vent being secured together by suitable fastening devices 6. The skirt is provided with a waist band 10, to give thetop of the same a neat finish and and increase its strength and durability.

The adjustable feature of the skirt is located at the center of the back portion 3, and extends from the waist band 10, to a point below the hips. At each side of the center of the back of the skirt are secured a number of strips of tape extending verti cally and carrying fastening devices, as shown in the enlarged view Fig. The two strips of tape 12 and 111 are secured at equal distances from the center of the back portion 3, of the skirt, to the under side thereof by sewing one edge of the tape to the fabric forming the skirt. Thus leaving the edge 15 of the pieces of tape 12 and 111 free. r1`he strips of tape 1G, are secured to the under side of the back of the skirt by sewing both edges of each strip to the fabric. The strips of tape 16 are located slightly farther apart at their lower ends, than they are at the waist band 10, which gives the skirt a better adjustment. The strips of tape carry a series of fastening devices, I prefer to use the type known as glove fasteners. rFhe strips 12 and 14 carry one member of the fastening devices, and the remaining strips of tape 16, carry the correspending member of the fastening devices. Upon the strips 12 and 14 are shown the caps 20, of the fastening devices and the other strips of tape 16, carry the portions of the fastening devices having the projections 21, which are forced into the recesses formed in the caps 20, to secure them together. To adjust the skirt to a smaller size, the strips of tape 12 and 14, carrying the caps 20, are brought over the other strips of tape 16, carrying the projections 21 and clasped together, as shown in Fig. 4. rlhus the size of the skirt is reduced, and an inverted plait is formed down the center of the back of the skirt, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The waist band 10, is provided with fastening devices 22 and 23, similar to those above described, which are located upon the outside of the waist band, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8. The waist band may be ad justed, by these fastening devices to correspend with the adjustments made in the portion of the skirt below the waist band 10, as above described, and by means of said fastening devices 22 and 23 upon the waist band, the plaited portions of the waist band will lie fiat and be held tightly together.

My improved means for adjusting the skirt does not prevent the skirt from heilig used when extended to its greatest dimensions, as shown in Fig. 1, forming what is termed a habit back skirt. r1`he strips of tape carrying the fastening devices are invisible as t-hey are secured to the under side of the skirt. By securing the fastening de vices to pieces of tape, instead of securing them directly to the fabric of the skirt additional strength is given, which prevents the fastening devices from tearing the fabric of the skirt.

My improved skirt may be readily adjusted to suit different sized persons and can be made to fit tightly around the hips, as Well as to the Waist band, and when adjusted to a smaller size, the inverted plait, which is formed at the back, will cause the goods to lie flat and give a neat appearance to the skirt.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

An adjustable underskirt having a plurality of strips of tape secured in a vertical position to the under side of the skirt, fastening devices, one member of said fastening devices secured upon said strips of tape, two strips of tape located adjacent to the center of the skirt and having secured thereon the opposite member of said fastening devices, said last mentioned strips of tape secured to the skirt by the inner edges thereof and the opposite edges of the tape remaining free to overlap the iirst mentioned strips of tape by which the skirt may be plaited and secured, by said fastening devices, to reduce the size of the skirt at the Waist line and over the hips.

ln testimony whereof I have afhxed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MARTINA G. MCLOUGHLN.

lVitnesses L. M. CANNON, ARTHUR C. PEN-Ton.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents leach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

